Gov. Baldacci and the Legislature deserve praise for enacting property tax reform in spite of the campaign to stonewall the bipartisan effort. Several jilted operatives have taken their attacks to the media. Yet, Maine people recognize the conservatives’ effort as a smoke screen to the real issue.

Congressional Republicans and President Bush have systematically underfunded our social services. They urge that states, not the federal government, should control public services ranging from road repair to environmental protection, school improvement to health care assistance. While the services’ costs skyrocket, Washington slashes funding. Maine must then choose – fund programs despite the cost spikes or keep the poor sick, stymie our children’s education, encourage industries to pollute and cripple our transportation system.

Conservatives pretend that repairing our tax system is a simple premise. They ignore the central fact that Maine’s money problems were caused by President Bush and congressional Republicans. They ignore Bush’s drive to gut federal spending, leaving states to meet the shortfall – all while claiming to represent fiscal responsibility.

The governor’s compromise cuts property taxes by 15 percent while increasing education funding to 55 percent. Ninety cents of every dollar the state collects for education will help municipalities abate property taxes. The proposal embodies true compromise in the face of adversity.

The opponents’ suggestion – eliminate the federal government and slash state spending, all while protecting education, Medicare and Social Security – fails the straight-face test.

Demand more for Maine and support the governor’s effort to cut property taxes.

Rick Thackeray, Rockland